Brooklyn Nets’ Brook Lopez says he has slimmed down this offseason

The summer of NBA players shedding serious pounds continues. We’ve heard stories about NBA stars such as LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade all dropping weight this offseason and we now have the following about the Brooklyn Nets’ Brook Lopez, courtesy of the New York Post’s Tim Bontemps.

"Lopez, who arrived at training camp last fall weighing around 290 pounds before playing at a weight several pounds lighter, looked noticeably thinner while participating in a youth healthy lifestyle clinic at Barclays Center on Wednesday afternoon.“I’m at my playing weight,” Lopez said with a laugh. “I can attribute that to laying in bed for months, but I’m back to the weight that’s normal for me. Last I checked, I was just under 275 [pounds].”"

The Nets are surely hoping that Lopez’s decision to lose weight will help the center stay healthy in 2014-15. Lopez appeared in just 17 games this past year due to a season-ending foot injury in December.

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Playing at a lesser weight, Lopez should be able to move well on the court, which is crucial for a center in today’s NBA.

Brooklyn desperately needs a big season from Lopez if they are to make another trip to the playoffs. This is a team that saw Paul Pierce leave this offseason and has an aging core that is declining in ability. The 26-year-old Lopez is their key to success.

Lopez averaged 20.7 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game in 2013-14.